Hotel Meyrick
Encyclopedia
The Hotel Meyrick is the oldest hotel in the City of Galway
, Ireland. Under various names (Railway Hotel, Great Southern Hotel and Hotel Meyrick) its history has been intertwined with that of Galway since 1852. It is situated on Eyre Square
in the heart of the city.
Company. The company's architect, John Skipton Mulvany
, designed both the Galway railway station and hotel. Just over the entrance on the façade of the hotel carries Mulvany’s favourite motif, the wreaths. The builder was William Dargan and it is built of limestone ashlar with a cornice over the heavily rusticated ground floor. The only other building in Galway using this limestone is Galway Cathedral
. The ground floor also has recessed and architrave windows and a heavy string course.
The original façade was topped by a shelf like Doric
cornice. Among the surviving internal features in the hotel is a fine marble fireplace incorporating a pair of bronze discs, emblazoned with the Midland and Great Western Railway arms and is dated 1845.
One of the first functions held at the hotel was the Galway Subscription Ball, among the organisers were Lady Clanmorris and Lady Redington. Another important ball was held there on October 19th 1855. It was a very notable day in the early history of the hotel during which the famous Galway Militia paraded in Eyre Square for the presentation of the colours by the Marchioness of Clanricarde. To celebrate the historic event, Lord and Lady Clanricarde
held a ball at the hotel, with all military ranks from Galway, Mayo, Clare and the King’s County attending. No expense was spared for this event and for many years it was hailed as the most successful ball ever held in Galway.
The future Emperor Napoleon III of France was another guest of the hotel, shortly after landing in Galway docks on board his steam yacht La Reine Hortense. The hospitality that the prince received in Galway and indeed his tour of the country sent shockwaves of fear through the administrative and military circles in both Dublin and London, as there was a growing apprehension of French imperial expansionism.
, Renmore Military Barracks was taken over by Republican forces and in July of that year, they abandoned the barracks after setting fire to the officer’s mess and accommodation blocks. They moved into the city where they occupied the hotel.
However, after a short time the Republicans were forced to vacate the building and it then fell into the hands of the Free State Troops. Sandbags were quickly erected at the front entrance and these troops stood guard at the hotel until any threat of occupation ceased. Following the Civil War, normality returned to the hotel and business continued as usual.
Alcock and Brown
On June 15th 1919, Galway got its first glimpse of air travel when the first non-stop transatlantic flight landed at Derrygimla Bog near Clifden. The pilots, Captain John Alcock DSC, and Lieutenant Arthur Whitten Brown
,
were taken to Galway in the Marconi motorcar, where they received a hero’s welcome and were royally entertained in the Railway Hotel.
Both men stayed in the hotel that night and the festivities carried on into the early hours of the morning. Despite heavy rain the following day, thousands of people waited for hours outside the hotel to see the two pilots. The following day a civic reception was held in their honour and was followed by dinner in the hotel with a multitude of dignatories.
Company.
and his wife arrived in Galway after landing his seaplane near Mutton Island. The Lindbergh’s visit to Galway was part of an aerial survey being conducted by Pan Am. They stayed in the Great Southern Hotel, where they met with some local dignitaries.
was formed through an amalgamation of railways into public ownership, and subsequently Great Southern Hotels then fell under ownership of CIE.
. Brian Collins and Brendan Allen a prominent local businessman approached Paddy Burke of Clarinbridge and suggested the idea of holding an oyster festival to celebrate the opening of the oyster season. A year later, September 1954, the first Galway International Oyster Festival was held at Paddy Burke’s Pub in Clarinbridge and it has continued to present times. In 1953, Queen Salote of the Tonga Islands stayed during her official visit to Ireland. Queen Salote was a rather large woman and a special sized bed had to be shipped from England in order to ensure her a good nights sleep.
Monogram Hotels re-named the Galway hotel ‘Hotel Meyrick’ as the original name for Eyre Square
was Meyrick Square. The Company have also refurbished the hotel's public areas.
, Éamon de Valera
, Erskine Childers
, Patrick Hillery
, Cearbhall O'Dalaigh and Mary Robinson
visited for lunch, as did President Charles De Gaulle
of France.
Taoisigh
included John A. Costello
, Sean Lemass
, Garret FitzGerald
, Charles Haughey
and Bertie Ahern
.
Footballers included George Best
, Kenny Dalglish
, Alan Hansen
and John Aldridge
.
Lord Oranmore and Browne would take over the 5th floor for two weeks during the shooting season and his guests included actors, writers and other titled people. Other members of the peerage who stayed at the hotel include Lord Longford and Lord Killanin.
Musicians & Singers who stayed at the hotel include the Furey Brothers, the Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, Paddy Maloney of the Chieftains and Papal Count John McCormack.
Actors who visited the hotel include Siobhan McKenna, Ray McNally, Rex Harrison
, David Hemmings
, Bing Crosby
and his wife Cathy, Micheal Mac Liammoir, Hilton Edwards, Gabriel Byrne, John Ford
and David Lean, Richard Harris
, Fred Astaire
, Jack Nicholson
, Anjelica Huston
, John Huston
, Paul Newman
(Mackintosh Man), John Wayne
and Maureen O'Hara
, Victor McLagan and Barry Fitzgerald.
Writers who stayed at the hotel include John B. Keane
, Brendan Behan
and Liam O'Flaherty. Liam O'Flaherty stayed at the hotel over long periods of time during the late 1940s.
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
, Ireland. Under various names (Railway Hotel, Great Southern Hotel and Hotel Meyrick) its history has been intertwined with that of Galway since 1852. It is situated on Eyre Square
Eyre Square
John F. Kennedy Memorial Park is an inner-city public park in Galway, Ireland, formerly officially named Eyre Square and still widely known by that name...
in the heart of the city.
History
Hotel Meyrick first opened its doors to guests in 1852, it was then known as the Railway Hotel. It was completed at a cost of £30,000 for the Midland Great Western RailwayMidland Great Western Railway
The Midland Great Western Railway was the third largest Irish gauge railway company in Ireland. It was incorporated in 1845 and absorbed into the Great Southern Railway in 1924. It served part of Leinster, County Cavan in Ulster and much of Connaught...
Company. The company's architect, John Skipton Mulvany
John Skipton Mulvany
John Skipton Mulvany was a notable Irish architect. He was the fourth son of Thomas James Mulvany, one of the founder members, with his own brother John George, of the Royal Hibernian Academy...
, designed both the Galway railway station and hotel. Just over the entrance on the façade of the hotel carries Mulvany’s favourite motif, the wreaths. The builder was William Dargan and it is built of limestone ashlar with a cornice over the heavily rusticated ground floor. The only other building in Galway using this limestone is Galway Cathedral
Galway Cathedral
The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas , commonly known as Galway Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Galway, Ireland and is one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the city.Construction began in 1958 on the site of the old city jail, and in 1965 was finally...
. The ground floor also has recessed and architrave windows and a heavy string course.
The original façade was topped by a shelf like Doric
Doric order
The Doric order was one of the three orders or organizational systems of ancient Greek or classical architecture; the other two canonical orders were the Ionic and the Corinthian.-History:...
cornice. Among the surviving internal features in the hotel is a fine marble fireplace incorporating a pair of bronze discs, emblazoned with the Midland and Great Western Railway arms and is dated 1845.
One of the first functions held at the hotel was the Galway Subscription Ball, among the organisers were Lady Clanmorris and Lady Redington. Another important ball was held there on October 19th 1855. It was a very notable day in the early history of the hotel during which the famous Galway Militia paraded in Eyre Square for the presentation of the colours by the Marchioness of Clanricarde. To celebrate the historic event, Lord and Lady Clanricarde
Clanricarde
Clanricarde was a term meaning both a territory and a title in Ireland between the 13th and early 20th centuries.-Territory:The territory, in what is now County Galway, Ireland, stretched from the barony of County Clare in the north-west along the borders of County Mayo, to the River Shannon in the...
held a ball at the hotel, with all military ranks from Galway, Mayo, Clare and the King’s County attending. No expense was spared for this event and for many years it was hailed as the most successful ball ever held in Galway.
The future Emperor Napoleon III of France was another guest of the hotel, shortly after landing in Galway docks on board his steam yacht La Reine Hortense. The hospitality that the prince received in Galway and indeed his tour of the country sent shockwaves of fear through the administrative and military circles in both Dublin and London, as there was a growing apprehension of French imperial expansionism.
Hotel In War Time
In 1918, the hotel was requisitioned by the British Army and was later handed over to the Irish National Army after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1922. That year, during the Irish Civil WarIrish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
, Renmore Military Barracks was taken over by Republican forces and in July of that year, they abandoned the barracks after setting fire to the officer’s mess and accommodation blocks. They moved into the city where they occupied the hotel.
However, after a short time the Republicans were forced to vacate the building and it then fell into the hands of the Free State Troops. Sandbags were quickly erected at the front entrance and these troops stood guard at the hotel until any threat of occupation ceased. Following the Civil War, normality returned to the hotel and business continued as usual.
Alcock and BrownAlcock and BrownBritish aviators Alcock and Brown made the first non-stop transatlantic flight in June 1919. They flew a modified World War I Vickers Vimy bomber from St. John's, Newfoundland, to Clifden, Connemara, County Galway, Ireland...
On June 15th 1919, Galway got its first glimpse of air travel when the first non-stop transatlantic flight landed at Derrygimla Bog near Clifden. The pilots, Captain John Alcock DSC, and Lieutenant Arthur Whitten BrownArthur Whitten Brown
Sir Arthur Whitten Brown KBE was the navigator of the first successful non-stop transatlantic flight.-Life and work:...
,
were taken to Galway in the Marconi motorcar, where they received a hero’s welcome and were royally entertained in the Railway Hotel.
Both men stayed in the hotel that night and the festivities carried on into the early hours of the morning. Despite heavy rain the following day, thousands of people waited for hours outside the hotel to see the two pilots. The following day a civic reception was held in their honour and was followed by dinner in the hotel with a multitude of dignatories.
1920s
In 1925, the hotel was renamed the Great Southern Hotel following the merger of the various railway companies in southern Ireland into the Great Southern RailwaysGreat Southern Railways
The Great Southern Railways Company was an Irish company that from 1925 until 1945 owned and operated all railways that lay wholly within the Irish Free State .-Formation:...
Company.
1930s
On Monday October 23rd 1933, Charles LindberghCharles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
and his wife arrived in Galway after landing his seaplane near Mutton Island. The Lindbergh’s visit to Galway was part of an aerial survey being conducted by Pan Am. They stayed in the Great Southern Hotel, where they met with some local dignitaries.
1940s
Business was excellent prior to World War II, but when war broke out, people stopped traveling. During the war years the staff received rations of butter, tea and sugar from the hotel. Although business suffered during the war, the following year, 1946, proved excellent with the hotel over-run with tourists, so much so, that they had to be accommodated in the lobby and any section were people could manage a nights sleep. Córas Iompair ÉireannCóras Iompair Éireann
Córas Iompair Éireann , or CIÉ, is a statutory corporation of the Irish state, answerable to the Irish Government and responsible for most public transport in the Republic of Ireland and, jointly with its Northern Ireland counterpart, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, between the...
was formed through an amalgamation of railways into public ownership, and subsequently Great Southern Hotels then fell under ownership of CIE.
1950s
In June 1952, Brian Collins became General Manager. Brian Collins’ legacy in the city is the Galway International Oyster FestivalGalway International Oyster Festival
The Galway International Oyster Festival is a food festival held annually in Galway during September, the first month of the oyster season. Inaugurated in 1954, it was begun by Great Southern Hotel manager, Brian Collins, and in 2000 was described by the Sunday Times as "one of the 12 greatest...
. Brian Collins and Brendan Allen a prominent local businessman approached Paddy Burke of Clarinbridge and suggested the idea of holding an oyster festival to celebrate the opening of the oyster season. A year later, September 1954, the first Galway International Oyster Festival was held at Paddy Burke’s Pub in Clarinbridge and it has continued to present times. In 1953, Queen Salote of the Tonga Islands stayed during her official visit to Ireland. Queen Salote was a rather large woman and a special sized bed had to be shipped from England in order to ensure her a good nights sleep.
Modern Times
In 2006 the Great Southern Hotels group was sold and the Galway Hotel was bought by Gerry Barrett's Monogram Hotel Group.Monogram Hotels re-named the Galway hotel ‘Hotel Meyrick’ as the original name for Eyre Square
Eyre Square
John F. Kennedy Memorial Park is an inner-city public park in Galway, Ireland, formerly officially named Eyre Square and still widely known by that name...
was Meyrick Square. The Company have also refurbished the hotel's public areas.
Famous Guests
Presidents included Sean T. O'KellySean T. O'Kelly
Seán Thomas O'Kelly was the second President of Ireland . He was a member of Dáil Éireann from 1918 until his election as President. During this time he served as Minister for Local Government and Minister for Finance...
, Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
, Erskine Childers
Erskine Hamilton Childers
Erskine Hamilton Childers served as the fourth President of Ireland from 1973 until his death in 1974. He was a Teachta Dála from 1938 until 1973...
, Patrick Hillery
Patrick Hillery
Patrick John "Paddy" Hillery was an Irish politician and the sixth President of Ireland from 1976 until 1990. First elected at the 1951 general election as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Clare, he remained in Dáil Éireann until 1973...
, Cearbhall O'Dalaigh and Mary Robinson
Mary Robinson
Mary Therese Winifred Robinson served as the seventh, and first female, President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, from 1997 to 2002. She first rose to prominence as an academic, barrister, campaigner and member of the Irish Senate...
visited for lunch, as did President Charles De Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
of France.
Taoisigh
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
included John A. Costello
John A. Costello
John Aloysius Costello , a successful barrister, was one of the main legal advisors to the government of the Irish Free State after independence, Attorney General of Ireland from 1926–1932 and Taoiseach from 1948–1951 and 1954–1957....
, Sean Lemass
Seán Lemass
Seán Francis Lemass was one of the most prominent Irish politicians of the 20th century. He served as Taoiseach from 1959 until 1966....
, Garret FitzGerald
Garret FitzGerald
Garret FitzGerald was an Irish politician who was twice Taoiseach of Ireland, serving in office from July 1981 to February 1982 and again from December 1982 to March 1987. FitzGerald was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1965 and was subsequently elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD in 1969. He...
, Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
and Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
.
Footballers included George Best
George Best
George Best was a professional footballer from Northern Ireland, who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was a winger whose game combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders...
, Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish
Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish MBE is a Scottish former footballer and the current manager of Liverpool F.C.. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two club teams, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is the most capped Scottish player, with 102 appearances, and...
, Alan Hansen
Alan Hansen
Alan David Hansen is a Scottish former football player and BBC television football pundit. He played as a central defender for Partick Thistle, Liverpool and Scotland...
and John Aldridge
John Aldridge
John William Aldridge is a former Republic of Ireland international footballer and football manager...
.
Lord Oranmore and Browne would take over the 5th floor for two weeks during the shooting season and his guests included actors, writers and other titled people. Other members of the peerage who stayed at the hotel include Lord Longford and Lord Killanin.
Musicians & Singers who stayed at the hotel include the Furey Brothers, the Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, Paddy Maloney of the Chieftains and Papal Count John McCormack.
Actors who visited the hotel include Siobhan McKenna, Ray McNally, Rex Harrison
Rex Harrison
Sir Reginald Carey “Rex” Harrison was an English actor of stage and screen. Harrison won an Academy Award and two Tony Awards.-Youth and stage career:...
, David Hemmings
David Hemmings
David Edward Leslie Hemmings was an English film, theatre and television actor as well as a film and television director and producer....
, Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
and his wife Cathy, Micheal Mac Liammoir, Hilton Edwards, Gabriel Byrne, John Ford
John Ford
John Ford was an American film director. He was famous for both his westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and adaptations of such classic 20th-century American novels as The Grapes of Wrath...
and David Lean, Richard Harris
Richard Harris
Richard St John Harris was an Irish actor, singer-songwriter, theatrical producer, film director and writer....
, Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute...
, Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is an American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, and has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice: for One Flew Over the...
, Anjelica Huston
Anjelica Huston
Anjelica Huston is an American actress. Huston became the third generation of her family to win an Academy Award, for her performance in 1985's Prizzi's Honor, joining her father, director John Huston, and grandfather, actor Walter Huston. She later was nominated in 1989 and 1990 for her acting in...
, John Huston
John Huston
John Marcellus Huston was an American film director, screenwriter and actor. He wrote most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered classics: The Maltese Falcon , The Treasure of the Sierra Madre , Key Largo , The Asphalt Jungle , The African Queen , Moulin Rouge...
, Paul Newman
Paul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
(Mackintosh Man), John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
and Maureen O'Hara
Maureen O'Hara
Maureen O'Hara is an Irish film actress and singer. The famously red-headed O'Hara has been noted for playing fiercely passionate heroines with a highly sensible attitude. She often worked with director John Ford and longtime friend John Wayne...
, Victor McLagan and Barry Fitzgerald.
Writers who stayed at the hotel include John B. Keane
John B. Keane
John Brendan Keane was an Irish playwright, novelist and essayist from Listowel, County Kerry.-Life and career:...
, Brendan Behan
Brendan Behan
Brendan Francis Behan was an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright who wrote in both Irish and English. He was also an Irish republican and a volunteer in the Irish Republican Army.-Early life:...
and Liam O'Flaherty. Liam O'Flaherty stayed at the hotel over long periods of time during the late 1940s.